Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by eye surgeons in the US. With over 3 million cataract surgeries each year, it is considered to be one of the safest and most effective of all surgical procedures.

When to Have Cataract Surgery

In order to know when to have cataract surgery, a comprehensive eye exam is required. If the cataract is not yet affecting vision, then surgery may be able to be delayed for a year or more. However, it is extremely important to schedule eye exams each year to monitor the cataract’s progression.

Cataract Surgery at Eye Clinic of Austin

Our highly skilled eye surgeon, Dr. Thomas Henderson, has over 30 years’ experience in the removal of cataracts. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. Patients experience little or no discomfort during the procedure and normally return to their regular activities the day after surgery.

The first step to cataract surgery at the Eye Clinic of Austin is to schedule a cataract consultation.

At the cataract consultation we discuss vision issues, refractive options, and what to expect from surgery. We review your contact lens and/or eyeglass history and run tests to determine the severity of your cataract. Eye Clinic of Austin uses the most advanced technology today to insure we take proper measurements during this consultation. The following are some of the tests we use to measure:

Holladay IOL ConsultantThe Holladay IOL Consultant is a database program which assists Eye Clinic of Austin’s surgeons with intraocular lens power calculations. Absolutely one of the best calculation methods, this system also allows our eye surgeons the ability to calculate surgically-induced astigmatism and back-calculating values to understand the source of refractive surprises.

LENSTAR LS900
The LENSTAR LS900 is a device that in one single measurement can provide a patient’s lens thickness, lens position, and retinal thickness.

Once testing and measurements are complete, one of our eye surgeons will discuss the recommended procedure for your eyes. The fee for your consultation will be billed to your insurance company; it is usually, but not always, covered by insurance. This 2-2½ hour dilated consultation typically includes a complete review of overall eye and systemic health, plus an assessment of other eye conditions and an evaluation of the retina.

After the best procedure has been determined, we can schedule a procedure date and any additional pre-operative testing required.

After Cataract Surgery

Complete recovery after cataract surgery takes two to three weeks, but most patients return to work the next day and strenuous activity after one week. The ability to see without contact lenses or glasses will begin immediately.

Risks of Cataract Surgery

True of any surgery, cataract surgery can pose some risks like infection or bleeding. However, it is one of the most safest and effective of all medical procedures. If you are taking certain medications that can increase the risk of bleeding, we may ask you to stop taking the medicine temporarily before cataract surgery. It’s also very important to wash your hands before touching the eye and keep the eye clean to avoid any infection.

Cataract Surgery Video Explanation

Awards & Recognition

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Testimonials

Dr. Prosise is fantastic. She always makes me laugh every time I come in and she always clearly explains what is going on with my eyes. I love her attitude and professionalism.

David – November 8, 2014

Dr. Henderson is great. He got me to 20-20 with cataract surgery years ago after two other ophthalmologists said nothing could be done. Sent many friends to him for a variety of eye problems. Each of them thought he was outstanding. This visit he quickly diagnosed my eye problem and started me on a treatment […]

Colleen – January 6, 2015

Dr. Melanie Prosise and the staff at Eye Clinic of Austin are wonderful and make the experience as easy as possible when you get your eyes examined. I highly recommend them.

Patricia – February 11, 2015

All staff are very nice, helpful, knowledgeable regarding their jobs. I did not have to wait any time to be seen.